By Antigoni Zachari / info@eurohoops.net
Fans of Golden State Warriors and Portland Trail Blazers in Turkey will have to count on their NBA League passes to watch the clash of the West Conference Finals, as no Turkish television channel will broadcast this series.
Enes Kanter’s presence in the finals and the ongoing controversy with the state of his home country, for which the player has openly spoken several times, resulting in this decision by the Turkish media.
“S Sport”, the main TV broadcaster of National Basketball Association games in Turkey, will not broadcast the games and as a result, Turkish commentary will not be available. And if Portland makes it to the NBA finals, then the finals will not be broadcasted in Turkey.
A few days prior, Kanter pointed out on his twitter account that his name has been censored during the playoffs by the official account of NBA Turkey, with the NBPA releasing a statement in support of the player.
At the same time, the NBA took action and confirmed that the games will be made available through NBA League Pass and NBA TV International. “All Western Conference Finals games will be available to fans in Turkey on TV on NBA TV and online on NBA League Pass,” said Ralph Rivera, Managing Director of NBA Europe and the Middle East.
While the Portland Trail Blazers are getting ready to face the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference Finals, Oregon Senator Ron Wyden sent a letter to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to ensure that Enes Kanter will be granted safe passage to Canada, if the Blazers advance to the title series and the Toronto Raptors do the same.
Kanter had his Turkish passport revoked while the government of the country has issued an Interpol red notice for him to be arrested.